Not only is operating a greener business good for the environment, it works out significantly better for your company’s bottom line. Cutting down on your bills by reducing wastage and finding more efficient business practices is something that every company should strive towards.
Whether you run your business from home or a large office premises, there are a number of different things you can do. Here are just a few ideas to make your business greener.
Encourage Emailing
Printing everything off is not only hugely wasteful, it can end up costing you a fortune in office supplies. Make sure that your office has a policy of only printing when absolutely necessary. And when you do have to print, make sure you do so double sided. You will also find that your documents are safer online as bits of paper are much more likely to get lost.
Fix Leaking Taps
The constant drip, drip, drip of a leaking tap is extremely annoying. It’s even more annoying when you realise that your money is literally disappearing down the drain. Did you know that one drop per second will end up wasting 10,000 liters of water per year? As well as the environment, think how much money you could save by doing that job that you have been putting off for so long.
Research Alternative Energy
More and more people are choosing to use alternative energy sources such as solar, wind and tidal. Though these usually require a high initial cost, in the long run you should find yourself reducing your energy bills. This is especially true if you live in an area that receives many hours of sunshine or a significant amount of wind. Check out some commercial solar panel companies to find out the costings and benefits. Also, consult with a local weather agency to find out if you will benefit from alternative energy.
Conduct An Energy Audit
An energy audit involves making sure everything in the office is as energy efficient as possible. You can either do this yourself or get a professional in. Consider switching from regular light bulbs to their LED equivalent as these cost less and last for much longer. Think about replacing some of your appliances with their more energy efficient counterparts. Repair any cracks or gaps that are resulting in through draughts. These are just a few things to consider, but a detailed energy audit will give you a fuller picture of savings you can make.
Turn Off Equipment
Make sure that everything that isn’t in use is turned off. All your employees should turn off their computers at the end of the day. You should also implement a policy that the last person in the building makes sure that everything is turned off.
These are just a few policies that can make all the difference to both your bottom line and the environment. Try implementing a few of them today and see how much your business could end up saving.
